Apparatus to detect cable seating or disturbance

ABSTRACT

A displacement sensor that includes a stationary printed circuit board which includes a first capacitor pad, an indicator, and a battery electrically communicating with the first capacitor pad and the indicator and a sliding card which includes a second capacitor pad, the first capacitor pad and the second capacitor pad being orientated to face each other and in an overlapping relation to each other. An overlap being defined by the first capacitor pad and the second capacitor pad, wherein the overlap of the first capacitor pad and the second capacitor pad generates a capacitance, the generated capacitance changes as the sliding card moves as a result of a change in the overlap of the first capacitor pad and the second capacitor pad. The indicator is activated when the generated capacitance change reaches a threshold value.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to the field of displacementsensors, and more particularly to a capacitance based displacementsensor where the capacitance changes determines displacementnotification.

Cable connections often become unseated or partial disengaged. Forexample, partial disengagement of the primary contact element(s) cancause failures or errors. An unseated or partially disengaged connectioncondition can lead to an interference in the transmission of signals.Such a condition may be seen or diagnosed as an intermittent behavior orerrors, or a complete failure in the device. Various mechanisms cancontribute to unseating, such as: operator inadvertent disruption,operational vibration, poor mechanical engagement and/or mechanicalinterference. This is a common problem in scalable computing hardware,mainframe computers, and small computer hardware. Field andmanufacturing issues can be caused by an unseated connector or cable. Anunseated connector or cable can result in a link degrade or link downcondition, for example, the connection or cable can become fullydisengaged from its connection. Additionally, the cable and connectorare dense and have substantial mass, which can put added strain on theconnection. Sometimes this strain can cause a displacement, for example,loose plug or cables are moved and become completely or partiallydisplaced from their connection. One problem with completely orpartially displaced connections is that it is not easy to detectvisually. Often the solution is to reconnect all the card and cableconnections in the link path which can be time consuming, and laborintensive, in addition to causing down time for devices.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Additional aspects and/or advantages will be set forth in part in thedescription which follows and, in part, will be apparent from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a displacement sensorattached to an apparatus. The displacement sensor includes a stationaryprinted circuit board which includes a first capacitor pad, anindicator, and a battery electrically communicating with the firstcapacitor pad and the indicator and a sliding card which includes asecond capacitor pad, the first capacitor pad and the second capacitorpad being orientated to face each other and in an overlapping relationto each other. An overlap being defined by the first capacitor pad andthe second capacitor pad, wherein the overlap of the first capacitor padand the second capacitor pad generates a capacitance, the generatedcapacitance changes as the sliding card moves as a result of a change inthe overlap of the first capacitor pad and the second capacitor pad. Theindicator is activated when the generated capacitance change reaches athreshold value in response to the change in the overlap of the firstcapacitor pad and the second capacitor pad, and wherein the activatedindicator indicates the apparatus has been displaced from a connection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certainexemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more apparentfrom the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate an embodiment of a displacement sensor, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates another view of the embodiment of the displacementsensor shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a cross section of the embodiment of thedisplacement sensor shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIG. 4 illustrates an expanded view of the embodiment of thedisplacement sensor shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIG. 5 illustrates an expanded view of the embodiment of thedisplacement sensor shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIG. 6 illustrates a printed circuit board (PCB) of the embodiment ofthe displacement sensor shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C illustrate different views of a slider card of theembodiment of the displacement sensor shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIG. 8 illustrates a second embodiment of the displacement sensor, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates the second embodiment of the displacement sensor asshown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 illustrates a printed circuit board (PCB) of the secondembodiment of the displacement sensor, as shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 illustrates an expanded view of the second embodiment of thedisplacement sensor, as shown in FIG. 8.

FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate different views of the slider card of thesecond embodiment of the displacement sensor, as shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary circuit diagram for an embodiment ofthe displacement sensor, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart depicting operational steps of the displacementsensor, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings isprovided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplaryembodiments of the invention as defined by the claims and theirequivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in thatunderstanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary.Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatvarious changes and modifications of the embodiments described hereincan be made without departing from the scope and spirit of theinvention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions andconstructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are notlimited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used to enablea clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, itshould be apparent to those skilled in the art that the followingdescription of exemplary embodiments of the present invention isprovided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose oflimiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and theirequivalents.

It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the”include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes referenceto one or more of such surfaces unless the context clearly dictatesotherwise.

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the presentinvention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elementsthroughout. Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to adisplacement sensor. The displacement sensor contains a sliding cardthat interacts with a printed circuit board (PCB), such that as the twoof them overlap a capacitance charge is formed. The larger the overlapthe higher the charged. As the sliding arm moves the capacitancechanges, thus the displacement sensor determines if the item is loose,displaced, or disconnected.

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate an embodiment of the displacement sensor 103,in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Thedisplacement sensor 103 is mounted on a plug 102 that can be insertedinto an outlet 101. FIG. 2 illustrates another view of an embodiment ofthe displacement sensor 103, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. FIG. 2 shows a different view point of the plug 102and the outlet 101. FIG. 2, illustrates that the displacement sensor 103contains a battery 104 and plunger 105.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrates a cross section of an embodiment of thedisplacement sensor 103, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrates a cross section of the outlet101, the plug 102 and the displacement sensor 103. The displacementsensor 103 includes the battery 104, the plunger 105, a spring 106, asliding card 107, a printed circuit board 108, and an indicator 120. Asillustrated by FIG. 3A, when the plug 102 is not engaged with the outlet101 the plunger 105 of the displacement sensor 103 extends from the plug102. When the plug 102 engages with the outlet 101, then the plunger 105moves to a position contained within the plug 102 causing the spring 106to be compressed. As the plunger 105 moves in a direction, it causes thesliding card 107 to move in the same direction as the plunger 105. Thesliding card 107 is attached, mounted, or formed integrally with theplunger 105, so that when the plunger 105 extends from the plug 102 thenthe sliding card 107 moves in a first direction, and when the plunger105 is compressed within the plug 102 then the sliding card 107 moves ina second direction opposite of the first direction. The sliding card 107moves in a parallel direction with the movement of the plunger 105.

FIG. 3A detects the plug 102 unseated from the outlet 101. The plunger105 is displaced when in a seated position shown in FIG. 3B. Thedisplacement causes the plunger 105 and sliding card 107 to move, thuschanging the generated capacitance of the two parallel capacitor pads115 and 118.

FIG. 4 illustrates an expanded view of an embodiment of the displacementsensor 103, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 5 illustrates an expanded view of an embodiment of the displacementsensor 103, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate an exploded view of the plug 102 and thedisplacement sensor 103 showing the different components of thedisplacement sensor 103. The displacement sensor 103 further includes acover 109. The sliding card 107 includes a mounting fixture 111 thatconnects to the mounting point 110 of the plunger 105.

FIG. 6 illustrates a printed circuit board (PCB) 108 of an embodiment ofthe displacement sensor 103, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. The PCB 108 includes the battery 104 on one side andon the other side the PCB 108. The side of the PCB 108 that faces thesliding card 107, includes power jumper pads 112, an inactive pad 113, aconnection 114 to the slider card 107, and a capacitor pad 115. Thecapacitor pad 115 is shown as being a square shape, but it is notlimited to that shape. The capacitor pad 115 can take the shape of arectangular, “E” shaped, or any other type of shape as long as thesurface area is known. Furthermore, the capacitor pad 118 of the slidingcard 107 mirrors the shape of the capacitor pad 115 of the PCB 108, sothe overlap area of capacitor pads 115 and 118 is known.

FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C illustrate different views of the slider card 107 of anembodiment of the displacement sensor 103, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. The sliding card 107 includes onside the does not face the PCB 108, the mounting fixture 111 and slidetracks 119, which guide the sliding movement of the sliding card 107.The sliding card 107 includes on the side the faces the PCB 108, a powerjump 116, a contact 117 to the PCB 108, and a capacitor pad 118. Thecapacitor pad 118 is shown as being a square shape, but it is notlimited to that shape. The capacitor pad 118 can take the shape of arectangular, “E” shaped, or any other type of shape as long as thesurface area is known. Furthermore, the capacitor pad 115 of the PCB 108mirrors the shape of the capacitor pad 118 of the sliding card 107, sothe overlap area of capacitor pads 115 and 118 is known. Therefore, asthe sliding card 107 moves it causes the overlap area of capacitor pads118 and 115 to change, thus causing the capacitance to change. When theplug 102 is fully seated within outlet 101 then the capacitors pads 115and 118 fully overlap. As the plug 102 is moving out, or displaced, fromoutlet 101, the plunger 105 moves causing the sliding card 107 to move,thus the overlap of the capacitors pads 115 and 118 changes with themovement of the sliding card 107. Once the capacitance, which isgenerated by the overlap, reaches a threshold value it causes theindicator 120 to activate. The indicator 120 can be, for example, alight emitting diode (LED), a plurality of LEDs to indicate a degree ofdisplacement, any other type of visual indicator, or it can be anacoustic indicator.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of the displacement sensor 203, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The displacementsensor 203 can be used the displacement of a cable, such that thedisplacement sensor 203 is connected between a stationary cable 201 anda movable cable 202. The displacement sensor 203 can be connected toeither a female or male end of either the stationary cable 201 and/orthe movable cable 202.

FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of the displacement sensor 203, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10illustrates an expanded view of an embodiment of the displacement sensor203, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Thedisplacement sensor 203 is connected to a stationary cable 201 and amovable cable 202, while the displacement sensor 203 includes a spring205 for loading the movable cable 202, a battery 204, a coiled cable206, a sliding card 207, and a printed circuit board (PCB) 208. Spring205 allows for the movable cable to be mounted to the sliding card 207of the displacement sensor. The coiled cable 206 allows for the slidingcard 207 to move, while the PCB 208 remains stationary. The sliding card207 and the PCB 208 acts interact with each other in the same fashion assliding card 107 and PCB 108, as described above.

FIG. 11 illustrates a printed circuit board (PCB) 208 of an embodimentof the displacement sensor, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. The PCB 208 includes the battery 204 on one side andon the other side the PCB 208, the side that faces the sliding card 207,includes power jumper pads 209, an inactive pad 210, a connection 211 tothe slider card 207, and a capacitor pad 212. The capacitor pad 212 isshown as being a rectangle shape, but it is not limited to that shape.The capacitor pad 115 can take the shape of a square, “E” shaped, or anyother type of shape as long as the surface area is known and that thecapacitor pad 216 of the sliding card 207 mirrors the shape of thecapacitor pad 212 of the PCB 208.

FIG. 9 detects a disturbance of the stationary cable 201 and the movablecable 202. The force on the movable cable 202, i.e. the cable is beingpulled, disturbed, or generally moved, wherein the movable cable 202 isconnected to the sliding card 207 such that as the movable cable 202position changes then the position of the sliding card 207 changes. Asthe sliding card 207 changes positions then the orientation of the twocapacitor pads 212 and 216, thus changing the generated capacitance ofthe two parallel capacitor pads 212 and 216. The displacement senor 203detects the force that is exerted on the movable cable 202 and if theforce removed then the displacement sensor 203 returns to its originalstate.

FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrates different views of the slider card of anembodiment of the displacement sensor, in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention.

The sliding card 207 includes a mounting fixture 213 for connecting tomovable cable 202 and a slide tracks 217 which guide the slidingmovement of the sliding card 207 over the PCB 208. The sliding card 207includes on side the faces the PCB 208, a power jump 214, a contact 215to the PCB 208, and a capacitor pad 216. The capacitor pad 216 is shownas being a rectangular shape, but it is not limited to that shape. Thecapacitor pad 216 can take the shape of a square, “E” shaped, or anyother type of shape as long as the surface area is known and that thecapacitor pad 212 of the PCB 208 mirrors the shape of the capacitor pad216 of the sliding card 207. Therefore, as the sliding card 207 moves itcauses the overlap area of capacitor pads 212 and 216 to change, thuscausing the capacitance to change. When the movable cable 202 is in aproper position, then the capacitors pads 212 and 216 fully overlap. Asthe movable cable 202 is moving out, displaced, changes positions, thenthe coiled cable 206 and spring 205 causes the sliding card 207 to move,thus the overlap of the capacitors pads 212 and 216 changes with themovement of the sliding card 207. Once the capacitance, which isgenerated by the overlap, reaches a threshold value it causes theindicator (220) to activate. The indicator can be, for example, a lightemitting diode (LED), a plurality of LEDs to indicate a degree ofdisplacement, any other type of visual indicator, or it can be anacoustic indicator.

FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary circuit diagram for an embodiment ofthe displacement sensor 103 and 203, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention. The exemplary circuit diagram shows indicators120, 220 and a comparator 330. The comparator 330 compares thecalculated capacitance with the threshold value to determine if theindicators 120, 220 should be activated.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart depicting operational steps of the displacementsensor, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

The displacement sensor 103, 203 determines the initial capacitance(S410). The displacement sensor 103, 203 determines if the capacitancehas changed (S420). When there is no change, then the displacementsensor 103, 203 does not react. When the sliding cards 107, 207 changespositions it causes the overlap of capacitor pads 115, 118, 212 and 216to change, thus causing the capacitance to change. When the displacementsensor 103, 203 determined the capacitance has changed, then thecomparator 330 determines if the capacitance has reached a thresholdvalue (S430). When the capacitance has not reached the threshold value,then the displacement sensor 103, 203 waits to see if the capacitancechanges any further (S420). When the capacitances reaches the thresholdvalue, then the indicators 120, 220 is activated to alert a user thatthe plug 102 or a cable 201, 202 have become displaced (S440).

Numerous modifications and substitutions can be made without deviatingfrom the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the presentinvention has been disclosed by way of example and not limitation.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference tocertain exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present inventionhave been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intendedto be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the describedembodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain theprinciples of the one or more embodiment, the practical application ortechnical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or toenable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodimentsdisclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A displacement sensor attached to an apparatus,wherein the displacement sensor comprises: a stationary printed circuitboard which includes a first capacitor pad, an indicator, and a batteryelectrically communicating with the first capacitor pad and theindicator; a sliding card which includes a second capacitor pad, thefirst capacitor pad and the second capacitor pad being orientated toface each other and in an overlapping relation to each other; and anoverlap being defined by the first capacitor pad and the secondcapacitor pad, wherein the overlap of the first capacitor pad and thesecond capacitor pad generates a capacitance, the generated capacitancechanges as the sliding card moves as a result of a change in the overlapof the first capacitor pad and the second capacitor pad; wherein theindicator is activated when the generated capacitance change reaches athreshold value in response to the change in the overlap of the firstcapacitor pad and the second capacitor pad, and wherein the activatedindicator indicates the apparatus has been displaced from a connection.2. The displacement sensor of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a plug.3. The displacement sensor of claim 2, further comprising: a movableplunger; wherein the movable plunger is extended from the plug when theplug is not engaged with an outlet and the movable plunger is compressedwithin the plug when the plug is fully inserted in the outlet.
 4. Thedisplacement sensor of claim 3, further comprising: a spring that isfully contained within the plug and contacts the end of the plunger;wherein the spring biases the movement of the plunger.
 5. Thedisplacement sensor of claim 3, wherein the sliding card movementcorresponds to the movement of the plunger.
 6. The displacement sensorof claim 5, wherein the plunger moves as the plug is being disengagedfrom the outlet, and as the plunger moves, the generated capacitancechanges as a result of the sliding card movement corresponding to themovement of the plunger.
 7. The displacement sensor of claim 6, whereinthe indicator is a visual indicator that is activated when the change ofthe generated capacitance reaches the threshold value.
 8. Thedisplacement sensor of claim 6, wherein the indicator is an acousticindicator that is activated when the change of the generated capacitancereaches the threshold value.
 9. The displacement sensor of claim 6,wherein the threshold value is a plurality of threshold values, andwherein the indicator is a plurality of visual indicators, and acorresponding visual indicator of the plurality of visual indicatorsbeing activated in response to a corresponding threshold value of theplurality of values being met, as a result of the generated capacitancechanges.
 10. The displacement sensor of claim 1, wherein the apparatusis a cable, such that the displacement sensor is attached between endsof two cables.
 11. The displacement sensor of claim 10, wherein the twocables comprise a first cable that is stationary and a second cable thatis movable.
 12. The displacement sensor of claim 11, wherein the secondcable contacts the sliding card and the movement of the second cablecauses the sliding card to move.
 13. The displacement sensor of claim12, wherein as the second cable moves it causes the overlap of the firstcapacitor pad and the second capacitor pad to change, and wherein thegenerated capacitance changes with respect to the changing overlap. 14.The displacement sensor of claim 1, wherein the indicator is a visualindicator that is activated when the changing of the generatedcapacitance reaches the threshold value.
 15. The displacement sensor ofclaim 1, wherein the indicator is an acoustic indicator that isactivated when the changing of the generate capacitance reaches thethreshold value.
 16. The displacement sensor of claim 1, wherein thethreshold value is a plurality of threshold values, and wherein theindicator is a plurality of visual indicators, and a correspondingvisual indicator of the plurality of visual indicators being activatedin response to a corresponding threshold value of the plurality ofvalues being met, as a result of the generated capacitance changes. 17.A method comprising; determining a generated capacitance from an overlapof a first capacitor pad and a second capacitor pad, wherein the firstcapacitor pad is stationary and the second capacitor pad is movable;determining a change in the generated capacitance as the secondcapacitor pad moves, wherein the change in the generated capacitance isdetermined by the change in the overlap of the first capacitor pad andthe second capacitor pad; comparing the change in the generatedcapacitance to a threshold value; in response to the change in generatedcapacitance reaching the threshold value, activating an indicator. 18.The method of claim 17, wherein the indicator is a visual indicator thatis activated when the changing of the generate capacitance reaches thethreshold value.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the indicator is anacoustic indicator that is activated when the changing of the generatecapacitance reaches the threshold value.
 20. The method of claim 17,wherein the threshold value is a plurality of threshold values, andwherein the indicator is a plurality of visual indicators, and acorresponding visual indicator of the plurality of visual indicatorsbeing activated in response to a corresponding threshold value of theplurality of values being met, as a result of the generated capacitancechanges.